Sheep, ostrich cruelty cases go to court

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A woman accused of neglecting a sheep allegedly found covered with maggots has had her trial date pushed back after retaining a new lawyer.

Janet Wherry, the owner of Triple Springs Ranch at 11650 San Mateo Road in Half Moon Bay, is set to go to trial May 14 on one count of misdemeanor animal cruelty, according to Chief Deputy District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe. She has pleaded not guilty.

Tenants on Wherry’s property reported the sheep to the Peninsula Humane Society in August 2005, according to prosecutors.

Wherry, who has faced previous charges from the humane society relating to other animals on her property, filed suit against the county and humane society this week claiming improper seizure of animals.

In a separate case Thursday, Timothy McKevitt, 19, pleaded not guilty for his involvement in the shooting and killing of an ostrich while trespassing on a ranch just south of Half Moon Bay. McKevitt’s trial date will be set on March 9.

On Halloween of last year, McKevitt and his friend Jonathan Porter, 21, allegedly got drunk and wandered onto the property to observe the ranch’s many ostriches, prosecutors say. One startled ostrich attacked the two men, injuring both of them. After the incident, the men allegedly obtained a shotgun and a rifle, went back to the ranch and killed an ostrich. Porter pleaded guilty to felony animal abuse and possession of a firearm. His sentencing date is on March 29.